Cheesy Gougeres with Whipped Goat Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 cup AP flour
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup gruyere, finely grated
• 3/4 cup parm, finely grated
• 1 cup goat cheese
• 1/2 cup whipping cream

To Garnish

• Chives, thinly sliced
• Caviar!  

Directions

1. Combine water, butter, and salt in a pot.  Bring up to a boil.  Take off the heat and add the flour, pepper, and nutmeg.  Stir vigorously to combine then return to the stove over low heat for a minute to dry out.  Remove from the heat again and let cool for a minute or two.  Then add the eggs, one at a time, incorporating well before each addition.  Lastly, add the cheese.  Using a small 2 tsp sized ice cream scoop, dollop individual balls of the dough onto a lined baking sheet.  Bake at 425 degrees for 15-17 minutes.  Let cool. 
2. Whip the goat cheese and cream together.  Season with a pinch of salt to taste then transfer to a star-tipped piping bag.  Cut each Gougere in half, then pipe in some of the whipped goat cheese.  Top with a small mound of caviar (or use lumpfish caviar for a more affordable alternative!) and some fresh chives.  Enjoy!